Landscaping

Landscaping enhances the beauty and value of your home. Proper planning, installation, and maintenance are essential for a healthy yard and to protect your home's foundation.

Foundation Protection

The area within 5 feet of your foundation requires special attention. Improper landscaping near your foundation can cause serious structural damage.

How It Works

Your landscaping works together with your home's drainage system to manage water and protect your foundation. Key concepts:

• Positive drainage - Ground slopes away from foundation
• Backfill areas - Soil around foundation is less compact than undisturbed ground
• Drainage swales - Direct water away from structures
• Sprinkler zones - Deliver water to specific areas

Routine Maintenance

Task	Frequency	Time Required
Check sprinkler heads and coverage	Monthly (season)	15 minutes
Verify drainage patterns	After heavy rain	10 minutes
Check downspout extensions	Monthly	5 minutes
Monitor backfill settling	Monthly	10 minutes
Winterize sprinkler system	Before first freeze	30 minutes or professional

The First 5 Feet: Foundation Protection Zone

The area within 5 feet of your foundation requires special attention:

Sprinklers:

• Do not install sprinkler heads within 5 feet of foundation
• Sprinklers should not deposit moisture within 5 feet of foundation

Plants:

• Install only plants requiring minimal hand watering
• Avoid plants needing regular irrigation

Why it matters:

• Excess moisture near the foundation causes settling and movement
• Water can penetrate to lower foundation areas
• Can cause wet basements, foundation cracks, and floor slab movement

Sprinkler System Management

If your home has a sprinkler system:

Your ongoing responsibilities:

• Routine cleaning of sprinkler heads
• Adjusting coverage as needed
• Repairing damaged heads
• Shutting down and draining the system before freezing temperatures

warning

Failure to drain the system before freezing can result in broken lines. Damage from failure to winterize is excluded from warranty.

Automatic timers allow:

• Watering at optimum times (ideally before sunrise)
• Accurate, consistent water control per zone
• Easy seasonal adjustments

New Sod Care

Newly placed sod requires extra water for several weeks:

• Water in the cool part of the day (ideally before sunrise)
• Water at regular intervals for first three weeks
• Be aware that extra watering can create temporary drainage concerns

Temporary drainage issues from new sod watering will resolve when the yard is established.

Tree Care

Trees add value but require ongoing attention:

Your responsibilities:

• Caring for existing trees
• Pruning dead branches
• Removing damaged trees if necessary
• Watering during summer and warm dry winter periods
• Mulching around trees
• Avoiding tilling or planting flower beds around tree roots

Note: Trees existing before construction may suffer delayed damage from soil compaction, changed water flow, or disturbed roots during construction.

Troubleshooting

Standing Water After Rain

1. Check duration - Should drain within 24 hours near foundation
2. Check swales - Clear any obstructions
3. Check splash blocks - Ensure water flows away
4. Check for settling - Fill any depressions

Sprinkler Not Working

1. Check controller - Verify programming and power
2. Check for clogs - Clean sprinkler heads
3. Check for leaks - Look for wet spots or sunken areas
4. Check valves - May need cleaning or replacement

Plants Struggling

1. Check watering - Too much or too little?
2. Check drainage - Standing water damages roots
3. Check sunlight - Is the plant suited to the location?
4. Check soil - May need amendments

Settling in Yard

1. Utility trenches - May settle; roll back sod, add soil, relay
2. Backfill areas - Normal; add soil to maintain grade
3. Swales - Must remain clear for drainage

What to Avoid

• Don't install sprinklers within 5 feet of foundation - Causes structural damage
• Don't alter drainage patterns - Voids warranty coverage
• Don't block drainage swales - Water must flow freely
• Don't forget to winterize - Frozen pipes cause expensive damage
• Don't install edging that dams water - Must allow water to flow away

Landscape Edging Warning

Do not install edging around decorative rock or bark beds that obstructs water flow away from the home. Water dammed behind edging can:

• Cause foundation issues
• Create settling and drainage problems
• Damage landscaping

Working with Contractors

When hiring landscape, concrete, or other contractors:

• You are responsible for any changes they make to drainage patterns
• Discuss drainage with any company you hire
• Have them review your Grading Inspection Certificate before starting work
• Classic Homes recommends hiring local companies in good standing with The Better Business Bureau

HOA Requirements

Depending on your community, you may need HOA or district approval before:

• Designing landscaping
• Installing landscaping
• Making changes to existing landscaping

Check your community requirements first.

Plant Selection Tips

When choosing plants:

• Select species suitable to local climate
• Favor native species over exotic
• Consider ultimate size, shape, and growth
• Consider water requirements
• Plan for mature size, not nursery size

Related Topics

• Grading & Drainage
• Gutters & Downspouts
• Foundation
• Fencing

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Warranty Coverage: See Landscaping Standards for coverage periods and exclusions.